Abstract
The outcomes of patients with metastatic melanoma are poor. But 2009 AJCC Melanoma Staging shows lung metastasis has a somewhat better prognosis than other visceral metastases. In our institute, three patients with lung metastases from cutaneous melanoma who were surgically treated had prolonged survival.
Between 2003 and 2010, 3 patients underwent surgery for lung metastases from cutaneous malignant melanoma. Their clinical features were examined and compared with those in patients with only lung metastases who did not undergo surgery.
The median disease free interval (DFI), overall survival (OS) and 2-years overall survival rates with surgical treatment patients were 31months, 24months and 100% respectively. On the other hand, DFI, OS, 2-years overall survival rates with patients without surgical treatment were 13months, 11months and 0% respectively.
Patients should be selected for surgery after consideration of performance status, DFI, number of metastases, extra pulmonary metastasis and complete resectablility.[Skin Cancer (Japan) 2012 ; 27 : 102-106]
